Last night at El Granada, the multi-day charratte style workshop, Traffic and Trails on the Midcoast: What Would You Do, opened at El Granada Elementary School. The evening began with an engaging presentation by charrette leader Dan Burden of Walkable Communities. Dan used well framed descriptions and photographs from other projects to illustrate the possibilities locally and reviewed the design elements that will be used to develop a final plan. Participants expressed strong support for the approach taken by the charrette to listen to and involve the community.
In a series of exercises audience had opportunity to effectively express viewpoints, vision and values. All participants had the opportunity to vote (see photo) on most valued elements that will shape the final design.
The charrette continues on Saturday with a walking tour that will leave from El Granada school shortly after 9am. The session continues into the afternoon and a BBQ lunch (courtesy of the Half Moon Bay Lions chapter) will be provided.
Starting on Saturday, more information on outcomes from the charrette sessions will be available at the web site: http://mprc.sanmateo.org/charrette.html .
I’ll write more about this later, but for now, I just want to say that last night’s session far exceeded my expectations.
Dan’s presentation of walkable, bike-able, and traffic-calming street designs was excellent and really set the stage for the brainstorming session.
I would love to see some of this thinking translated into reality on the Coastside.